A nurse is providing care for a client who has hemophilia and is bleeding from a small laceration on his arm. After applying a sterile dressing which of the following actions should the nurse take next?

A. Obtain a radial pulse.: Assessing the radial pulse does not help control active bleeding and does not address the immediate risk associated with hemophilia. Circulatory checks may be useful later, but they do not stop hemorrhage. The priority is to control bleeding before moving to assessment tasks. B. Maintain direct pressure over the site.: Clients with hemophilia have impaired clotting and require sustained direct pressure to help slow bleeding. Continuous pressure supports platelet plug formation and reduces blood loss from even minor injuries. This action directly targets the immediate threat and is the most effective next step. C. Reinforce the dressing over the site.: Adding more dressing does not exert the pressure needed to stop bleeding in hemophilia. Reinforcement may absorb more blood but will not help form a clot or reduce active bleeding. This delays the correct intervention and can allow further blood loss. D. Check whether the bleeding has stopped.: Checking too soon interrupts clot formation, which is especially fragile in clients with clotting disorders. Lifting the dressing to inspect can dislodge early clots and worsen hemorrhage. Bleeding must be controlled first through sustained, uninterrupted pressure.